Long distance walking tips - before you go

No matter how long your walk, you need to make sure you are as comfortable as you can be along the route. But, for long distance walks, you need to prepare well to make sure you complete the route and enjoy the walk.

You have a lot to think about before heading off on a long distance walk. Don't find yourself a few miles into the walk, when it's too late to turn back, and realise you've left something behind, or chosen a bad piece of walking kit.
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Preparation is important. If you don't prepare well for a long distance walk, you will regret it. Just imagine how disappointed you'd be if you could not complete your long distance walk because you'd not prepared one small detail. All the time and money wasted.

To help you prepare, here are my long distance walking tips:

Your feet

​Of all the long distance walking tips, first of all you need comfortable feet. And, having comfortable feet starts with having the right socks. The debate about how many pairs of socks you should wear is never-ending. Some walkers say you should wear two pairs of socks. Others say you should only wear one pair of socks.

The reality is that how many pairs of socks you wear for a long distance walk depends on you, your feet and your boots. I'll get onto walking boots later. I always wear two pairs of socks. My wife wears two pairs of socks for walking. I can't remember the last time I got a blister. My wife gets them on every other long walk we do.

Sock combinations

Amazon's best selling hiking & trekking socks

My tip is before you set off on a long distance walk, you try out sock combinations on a few walks before 'the big day'. Try two pairs. Try one pair. Try different socks. Try merino wool socks, try mixed fibre socks. Avoid cotton socks. The material is not good when wet with sweat. Cotton socks become stiff and ruck up in your boots, which causes blisters.
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I use a pair of thin trainer socks (the type you can't see when you're wearing trainers), and a pair of thick walking socks. The thin socks wick sweat away and give me another layer to protect against friction.

​The thick socks wick sweat away too. And, they give my feet a cushion against the insides of my boots. The combination works for me. But, it might work not for you. Test what works for you before you go. You'll regret it if you find out your socks give you blisters when you are a few miles in.

Preventing and curing blisters

​Something I learnt in the British Army was about foot care. That's one of the best lessons I picked up which is still on long distance walking tips list. If you don't look after your feet, you are no good to the Army. You can't march and fight.

I still use the same principles I learnt as an infantryman today, namely:

• Prepare your feet with foot powder. (Some say never do this, but it works for me). Lightly dust your feet with talcum powder and rub it in all over your feet and between your toes. This helps absorb sweat and minimise blisters. You can also do this if you stop on your walk for a rest. Take your boots and socks off and powder your feet. Then, put on a new pair or pairs of socks. It feels great. But, this might not be possible all the time.
• If you don't like powdering your feet, then buy some blister plasters. You can buy them in most good chemists, supermarkets or online. The best known are the 'Compeed' plasters. They are nothing short of amazing when you do get a blister. Stick one on top of your blister and you will notice a difference immediately.

Compeed Blister plasters are excellent

Your boots

These are my current walking boots - Berghaus Explorer Trek GTX. Click the image to see details.

For boots, my main long distance walking tips are:
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1. Whatever you do, don't ever go on a long distance walk with boots you've never worn before the walk. That's the best way to ruin your walk.
2. Depending on the type of terrain along the route of your walk, you need to find suitable boots.
3. Research different types of boots including their seasonal capabilities i.e. are they best for spring/summer, or autumn/winter?
4. Which material do you prefer? Leather, synthetic or a mix?
5. If you have high arches, will they fit you properly?
6. Do you prefer boots which allow your Achilles tendon more movement? Or, boots which give complete ankle coverage?
7. Try the boots out in the shop. If they don't feel right, change for a different size, style or make. Don't buy them if you are happy with them.
8. Try boots out in the shop with the sock combination you plan to use on the long distance walk.
9. Once happy, buy them and start wearing them as often as you can. Some boots need a lot of 'wearing in'. Others less so, but don't find out they make your feet sore when you are on your walk.

​See which boots Penny and I use here

Your route

Ordnance Survey maps are essential

​Knowing your route is another of top long distance walking tips. I spend time studying maps of my route so I know what to expect along the way. It sounds obvious, but knowing what's ahead of you is important.

​You can work out where to stop for a rest. You can see if there are places where you can get off your route in a emergency.

Walking gear

What you wear on a long distance walk is a big topic. But, preparation is vital. Here are some ideas:

1. Make sure you use a good baselayer next to your skin. It will help wick away sweat in cold, warm and hot weather. If your core gets cold because sweat, or it can't cool down because your baselayer isn't wicking away sweat you will be uncomfortable. Choose a good baselayer. Here are my recommendations.
2. Pick walking trousers or shorts (depending on the weather) which will stretch, wick sweat away and dry quickly.
3. When you stop, it's good practice, in cooler weather, to put another layer on to keep warm. A so-called 'mid-layer', like a fleece, is vital to take in cold weather, and recommended in the warmer weather. You never know when the weather might change.
4. Your outer layer, which might be a Gore-Tex jacket is your friend. A good one will keep the weather out, warmth in and let sweat out. Don't skimp on your outer layer. Buy the best you can afford.
5. Get a backpack which suits your height and gender. There are numerous backpacks on the market. I use one for day walks which lets air between my back and the rucksack. It's capacity is 35 litres which is enough for a long day. It's easy to think you need a big rucksack. The problem is that you tend to fill it with stuff you don't need.

See my essential kit list here on Amazon

My excellent Berghaus Extrem 5000 waterproof jacket

Food & water

Food for sale in an honesty box in the Yorkshire Dales

Make sure you eat and drink enough on a long distance walk. You will be surprised at how many calories you burn on a long distance walk. And, with all that work walking up and down hills or mountains, you're going to need to drink a lot of water (or tea!) to keep your energy levels up.

And, it's not all about energy bars or drinks.

You need food which releases energy slowly, which is not too bulky or heavy and which you enjoy eating. I carry food Nak'd bars, Tracker bars, sandwiches, a flask of tea, fruit, dried fruit, and nuts.

Water is heavy but you can't do without it. I carry it either in a 1 litre bottle, or a 2-litre bladder which sits inside my rucksack. The former is good for shorter walks. The latter is good for longer, harder walks, but the bladder still taints the water with a plastic taste!

I hope these long distance walking tips give you some ideas on how to prepare for your adventure. My next article is tips for when you set off on your walk.